The University of the 3rd Age (U3A) sets out to provide stimulating activities for those who are retired from full-time employment and no longer have direct parental responsibilities. There are now over 40 interest groups both large and small, including family history, walking, languages, art and literature, yoga and classical films.

Meetings are normally held the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of each month (except August), at 2pm in St. Barnabas Church Hall where talks are given on various subjects.

Currently there are over 500 members from Swanland and the surrounding villages and towns. There are no plans to limit membership numbers! Annual membership costs £10 per person and this includes all the fortnightly talks. Some of the interest groups make an additional small charge to cover expenses.